Question

Last one, use trigonometry to help you solve for y given that one side is 4 and there is an angle of 50 degrees.

Answer 1

Answer:

y = 6.22

You can solve this in two ways.

1.) Use SOH CAH TOA:

I typically start off by labeling the sides of the triangle with H (hypotenuse), O (opposite), and A (adjacent). Because I need to figure out what y is when given an angle and 4, I will use CAH, or cosine.

$\cos(angle) = \frac{adjacent}{hypotenuse}$

$\cos(50) = \frac{4}{y}$

$\cos(50) \times y = 4$

$y = \frac{4}{ \cos(50) }$

$y = 6.22$

2.) Use Law of Sines:

Solve for the last angle inside the triangle first.

$180 - (50 + 90) = 40$

Then use the angle you found (40°) in the equation.

$\frac{4}{ \sin(40) } = \frac{y}{ \sin(90) }$

$\frac{4}{ \sin(40) } \times \sin(90) = y$

$y = 6.22$